Rival hero a redleg secu.., p.57
Rival Hero: A Redleg Security Novel, page 57
And yet… something holds me back.
“Come here, babe,” he orders softly with a crook of his finger.
He scoots toward the middle of the booth to get closer to me. Unable to deny him, I do the same, meeting him halfway.
As soon as I’m within his reach, he wraps one big arm around me and cups my cheek tenderly with his free hand. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I told you I’d stop pressuring you, and that’s not what this is. It just hit me harder than normal tonight.”
“I’m sorry I’m not what you need.”
Whoa, horsey. Where did that come from?
I meant to apologize, tell him I understand, and assure him I wasn’t mad at his repeated broaching of this topic. After all, he’s entitled to his feelings.
But what came out was a truth bomb I didn’t realize I’d been carrying.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have ordered the wine. But it’s like they say, in vino veritas — in wine, there is truth.
Tears pool, obscuring my vision, so I mash my eyes closed and try to gather my composure.
His grip on me tightens, and he rests his forehead against mine. “Easy, babe. It’s okay. You’re everything I need. Everything.”
I keep my eyes fastened shut, knowing if I open them, the tears will fall. Haven’t I already ruined this evening enough without making a crying spectacle of myself?
He gives me a tiny nudge after a few moments. “Hey, how about we take our dinner to go?”
Pulling back a few inches, I stiffen and look around the restaurant. “Sorry for causing a scene. I’m okay.”
Instead of letting me withdraw from his arms, he gives me just enough space so I don’t feel trapped. “You’re not causing a scene. And even if you were, I wouldn’t give a damn.”
I offer him a tight-lipped smile.
He must assume I don’t believe him because he adds, “I’m serious, Maddie. I wasn’t suggesting we leave for any reason besides wanting to be alone with you to talk it out.”
One corner of my mouth curves. “You had me at getting me alone. But you lost me at talking it out.”
His lethal smile returns, sending a shot of warmth through my body. “You know I always reward you for opening up to me.”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach and someplace slightly lower. “Fair point. Let’s get to-go boxes.”
After placing a quick peck on my lips, he waves down Jeremy, gets the boxes, and pays the bill. As per tradition, he refuses to let me pay or even cover the tip.
A few minutes later, we leave the restaurant hand in hand.
See? I’m not ashamed of him.
What an absurd notion.
If anything, he should be ashamed to be seen with me. A frumpy fifty-six-year-old with a bad back and a mortgage she’ll never pay off. While he’s every bit the successful business owner and former special ops soldier. He’s got more money in his bank account than I’d make in a year, works out every day, has biceps that could open a jar of spaghetti sauce and a jawline that probably could too.
What the hell does he see in me?
As we pass by the hostess, I wave at her. “Take care, Jean. We’ll see you next time.”
She waves back. “Bye, Maddie. Have a great night.”
Such a sweet kid. I hope she does well at college next semester.
Alan arches a brow at me, and his grin spreads.
Once we’re out the front door, I ask him, “What’s that look for?”
Instead of answering, he scans the parking lot, then quickly ducks me behind a large brick post on the sidewalk in front of a vacant hair salon.
And in relative privacy, he presses me against the wall and joins our mouths in a sudden kiss. His velvety tongue swipes against the seam of my lips, coaxing them open.
A small gasp of surprise escapes as I open for him. His strong hands roam over my body, settling on my hips. Almost instantly, I get lost in the moment. Lost in him.
When he kisses me, arousal and euphoria bloom to life. I thought those sensations died years ago. I never thought I’d desire another man.
But one taste of this man is all it took for me to become famished. And that’s exactly what’s happening now. My core tightens, and my pulse spikes wildly.
I’m unable to stifle a moan, but he captures it in his mouth. And damn if it doesn’t make him kiss me harder.
I break away, reluctantly needing oxygen. He literally kissed me breathless.
“What was that for?” I rasp, my chest heaving.
“Because you’re amazing, and I couldn’t keep my lips off you for another second.”
I’m quick to deny his praise with a head shake and a hearty eye roll. “Oh, please.”
“I mean it, Maddie. You’re so damn kind to everyone. You know the names of half the kids working in that place, their parents’ names, if they have siblings, and their college plans. Everyone loves you. I —”
He chokes off the rest of his sentence. His face waxes over, tension quickly setting in his jaw. “I think you’re incredible, is all.”
“You’re being a little over the top, but I’ll allow it if it means more kisses like that.”
“Oh, I’m going to do more than kiss you tonight. That’s a promise. Are we going to your place or mine?”
Momentarily lost in his cocoa eyes, I forget to answer.
Good heavens. I’m too old to be all gaga like this over a man.
He arches a brow and leans closer. “Well? What’s it going to be?”
“Your place is fine.”
“Okay, but no leaving in the middle of the night this time.”
“I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.”
He narrows his eyes like he doesn’t believe me.
Was it a lie?
Technically, it was more like a fib.
But you can kiss my grits if you think you’re getting more than that out of me. Those worms are staying in their can.
A gruff rumble sneaks out of his chest, but he grabs me by the hand and walks me around the post.
And that’s when everything goes to shit.
Chaos.
A series of popping sounds louder than anything I’ve heard crackles through the night air. The glass windows behind us shatters. Alan shoves me to the ground and kneels beside me.
My hands cup my ears instinctively, and I ball my knees up to protect my midsection.
“Get down!” someone yells.
More loud pops in rapid succession rattle my eardrums, but these are so close.
Too close.
Forcing my eyes open, I see Alan’s holding a gun, extended toward the parking lot. Somewhere in the commotion, he must have retrieved his handgun and started firing back.
He’s. Firing. Back.
Oh my god. Someone is shooting at us.
My eyes snap shut of their own accord, and I fold myself into a tighter ball as terror seizes my entire being.
A burning sensation in my upper arm tries to break through my panic. But I can’t focus on anything other than the ringing in my ears and pounding heartbeat.
And fear for my life.
It’s a feeling I know all too well, but I hoped it was behind me.
“Call the police!” another voice yells.
Or is that the same voice?
The pain in my arm becomes so intense I can no longer ignore it. A groan escapes me, but I mash my lips closed so another doesn’t break free.
I need to be quiet. Hide.
“Babe, are you okay?” a male says from far away. “Son of a bitch!”
Stay quiet. Just hide. It’s safer.
There are no more gunshots. I think they’ve stopped.
No more glass breaking.
But I stay curled up, pretending this is all one of my nightmares. Nothing more.
Any minute, my alarm will go off, and I’ll get ready for work. Same as always.
It’s cold.
Instead of the alarm, police sirens ring out.
“Maddie, baby, look at me. Open your eyes,” a voice urges.
I cover my ears harder, shaking my head.
Must hide.
A feminine voice says, “I think she’s in shock.”
Then a beeping sound.
“Dispatch, we need a 10-71 on scene for a GSW.”
“Maddie, baby, can you talk to me?”
Just hide.
He’ll go away. He always does.
Pre-order Bossy Hero now.
Are you new to the Redleg Security Series?
Curious about the other couples mentioned in Rival Hero?
Leo & Sue - Heartbreak Hero (Redleg Security Book 1)
Sawyer & Sammy - Forbidden Hero (Redleg Security Book 2)
Shep & Kri - Comeback Hero (Redleg Security Book 3)
Cort (the Theo James doppelganger) & Amber (the pink-haired, pregnant CEO) - Love & Other Lies (from the Amos-holes series, Love and Laughs Book 3)
The rest of the Amos-holes books are in the Love & Laughs Series (steamy romantic comedy series following the sarcastic Amos siblings)
All my books are available in regular and discreet cover paperbacks on Amazon.
Acknowledgments
Dear Reader,
Thanks for making it to the end of this epic story! I hope you loved it and didn’t cry too much about Klein’s mom. That was hard to write, but I wanted it to be authentic.
Speaking of Klein, I may never get over him. Swoon. He’s giving my special guy, Sawyer, a run for his money.
This story was fun to write. I loved exploring Mia’s vibrant personality and quick wit. And Calvin Klein made me fall in love so many times over that I’m considering a support group or some type of detox program. I can’t wait to start on Bossy Hero and then Tomer and Lettie’s book.
Speaking of them… Tomer was a total surprise to me. I don’t know always know what’s going to happen beyond vague ideas, and Tomer and Lettie are a perfect example of that. I was so shocked when he barged into Mia’s house demanding to know about Lettie. SHOCKED! I can’t wait to explore their dynamic more. Are you excited too? But Boss and Madeline come first, and I’m eager AF to learn what’s holding them back from going public with their relationship (I think I know, but we’ll see how it plays out).
But I digress.
A special thanks to Allie and Paula for their incredibly helpful feedback during the beta reading process. You helped make this story so fulfilling and better than it would have been without your input and guidance.
I’m also thrilled to give a special shout out to Erin — white hat hacker extraordinaire and my new technical adviser. She said she’s sticking around to help me with Tomer’s book, and I’m sure I’ll need her for Boss’s book too. She’s stuck with me! Did you hear that, Erin? You’re never getting rid of me (evil laugh). Good luck belly dancing your way out of this pickle.
As expected, my editor/BB Mindy took up residence in my brain once more as we worked frantically to get this baby ready in time. I couldn’t do any of this shit without her. Not only does she keep me sane most days, she’s also got great feedback and knows my characters better than I do. Thank you for being a friend (in the style of the Golden Girls theme song).
Before I go, I also want to thank Kate for designing such a gorgeous discreet cover. Kim did a terrific job on my sexy man cover, as per usual. Love you both! Oh, and the model is Johnny Kane, and I might be stalking him without regret. Thanks to Eric for taking such a terrific photo and being a joy to work with.
To my amazing PA Deb and my new social media guru Rose — you ladies are making me look like I have my shit together. I hope you never try to leave me. It’ll get awkward if you do. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough for being on my team. All the hugs to you both!
And last but not least, a big fat thank you to my newly expanded ARC and street teams. I’m so lucky to have you. Your support means so much to me.
Hugs and margarita kisses,
Jackie
xoxo
About the Author
Jackie is a fresh face on the romance scene destined to shake things up with her signature blend of comedy, spice, suspense, multi-faceted characters, and romantic, heartwarming moments. A voracious romance reader herself, Jackie writes stories featuring the four Ss: Snark, Swoons, Steam, and Sarcasm. Her heroines are badass, and her heroes are easy on the eyes and heavy on the charm.
When she is not writing funny stories about swoony heroes and the women who get to play with them, she is reading all types of romance novels or taking care of her army of cats and her teenage son (who also speaks fluent sarcasm).
Connect with Jackie
Website: www.authorjackiewalker.com
Facebook Reader Group: Jackie’s Junkies
All my social media links are on my link tree: www.linktr.ee/authorjackiewalker
(Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, Newsletter Sign-up, and Spotify playlists for each book)
Also By Jackie Walker
Redleg Security Series
Romantic Suspense with RomCom Vibes
Heartbreak Hero - Leo & Sue
Forbidden Hero - Sawyer & Sammy
Comeback Hero - Shep & Kri
Rival Hero - Klein & Mia
Bossy Hero - Big Al & Madeline (coming late 2023)
Unexpected Hero - Tomer & Lettie (coming early 2024)
FREE Short Story for Newsletter Subscribers: The Escape (best read after Heartbreak Hero)
Love and Laughs Series
Steamy RomCom Series featuring the Amos-holes
Love & Other Chaos - Cara & Brody
Love & Other Mistakes - Chloe & Hudson
Love & Other Lies - Cort & Amber
Love & Other Trouble - CJ & Archer
Love & Other Accidents - Millie & Nick
FREE Short Story for Newsletter Subscribers: Chaos in Cabo
Content - Trigger Warnings & Kinks
Because this is a spicy romantic suspense novel with action themes, there may be some topics mentioned that some readers may wish to know about ahead of time. I’d like to keep this page as spoiler-free as possible but realize that it’s not always possible.
I’m providing a high-level explanation below regarding common reader triggers and kinks. You may also contact me via email (authorjackiewalker@gmail.com) if you have specific concerns.
On Page Stuff: This book contains profanity, sexually explicit scenes (all consensual), Alzheimer’s/Dementia (side character), action-packed scenes including abduction, fighting, gun usage, and suspenseful elements. No violence of any kind occurs between the main characters.
Off Page Stuff: There are light to moderate references to side characters who have experienced abduction via date rape drugs for the purposes of human trafficking, sexual assault, physical violence, and attempted murder.
Kinks include: Dom awakening with mild degradation (think: good boy goes bad), praise, consensual punishments, hair pulling, throat fucking, office sex, and butt stuff.
I’ve done my best to present these items as sensitively as possible for my readers.
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Jackie Walker, Rival Hero: A Redleg Security Novel
